By Oluwakemi Kindness
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for teacher welfare to become a core part of Nigeria’s education policy.
Abbas said teachers’ well-being should no longer be treated as an afterthought, stressing that their working conditions directly affect learning outcomes.
He spoke on Saturday while empowering teachers in Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State with motorcycles according to a statememt on Sunday by Musa Kirish, his media adviser.
“We must therefore treat teacher welfare as part of education policy, not as an afterthought,” Abbas said.
The Speaker said many teachers face long journeys, rising transport costs and difficult roads, particularly during the rainy season.
He said such challenges can leave teachers tired before they even begin teaching.
According to him, the motorcycles are intended as working tools to help teachers reach schools earlier, travel more safely and reduce daily transport costs.
“A motorcycle cannot teach a child, but it can bring the teacher who can,” Abbas said.
The Speaker, who recalled his experience as a teacher between 1981 and 1988, said teachers often work beyond classroom hours by preparing lessons, marking books and supporting struggling pupils.
He said Nigeria also urgently needs more trained teachers, particularly in northern states where teacher-to-pupil ratios remain among the lowest.
Abbas said buildings, textbooks and technology were important, but stressed that effective learning still depends on the presence of capable and committed teachers.
He said improved teacher mobility could help schools start lessons on time, improve attendance and give children in rural communities a better chance to learn.
Abbas disclosed that more than 3,000 teachers in Zaria Federal Constituency had benefited from his empowerment programmes since he became Speaker.
He said 1,000 motorcycles were presented to teachers during the 2026 Democracy Day programme alone.
The Speaker said the intervention formed part of wider efforts to improve school facilities, support students and promote vocational and digital learning.
He also highlighted education reforms under President Bola Tinubu, including teacher development, digital training and continuous professional development.
Abbas said the House of Representatives would continue to use legislation, appropriation and oversight to ensure education funds reach schools, teachers and pupils.
